Holding Space for Therapy Speak – The Assignment with Audie Cornish

Therapy speak is becoming increasingly popular, and social media platforms like TikTok are contributing to its spread. A viral TikTok video posted by Dr. Arianna Brandolini in January provided guidance on how to end a friendship. However, the video received criticism for its impersonal and robotic language, with some commenters calling it “a trash move” and “nightmarish.” Within the mental health community, there is a concern that therapy speak is being used inappropriately and without context by individuals who are not professionals.

Dr. Luana Marques, the director of a community psychiatry program at Massachusetts General Hospital, recognized why Dr. Ariana’s video went viral, but also noted that it may have caused discomfort for viewers because it created dissonance. Dr. Marques, who trains non-mental health professionals to provide therapy-based skills to marginalized communities, believes that while therapy speak has its place, people need to be careful about using terms associated with clinical disorders outside of a professional context.

Dr. Brandolini acknowledges that social media has made it easier for people to discuss mental health issues more openly and destigmatize them. However, she also recognizes that the problem with social media is that users are often throwing out words that are more complicated and nuanced than they appear. Dr. Marques agrees, adding that the dissemination of therapy-based information needs to be done responsibly.

The mental health community ultimately wants individuals to have access to accurate and helpful information, whether it is through a professional appointment or on social media. However, the concern is that without the proper context, therapy speak may be used inappropriately, leading to misunderstandings and confusion about mental health terminology. To combat this issue, experts like Dr. Marques and Dr. Brandolini are working to create spaces where users can access accurate scientific information about mental health disorders and their associated terminology.



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